"We are so excited to finally share the cast of 'Star Wars: Episode VII,' " director J.J. Abrams said in a statement posted on the site. "It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud."

"Star Wars: Episode VII" is scheduled to hit theaters Dec. 18, 2015.

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The late-night TV shuffle continues: After 10 years at the helm of his 12:30 a.m. late-night show, Craig Ferguson will step down from "The Late Late Show" in December, The Washington Post reports.

Ferguson told his studio audience the news Monday afternoon, and a few hours later, CBS sent out the announcement confirming it.

"During his 10 years as host, Craig has elevated CBS to new creative and competitive heights at 12:30," said the network's entertainment chairman, Nina Tassler. "He infused the broadcast with tremendous energy, unique comedy, insightful interviews and some of the most heartfelt monologues seen on television."

During the show's taping, the audience responded to the news with a very sad-sounding "awww." "I'll be stepping down at the end of this year in December and then I'll go and do something else. ... I'm thinking carpentry, but I haven't made my mind up yet," Ferguson said." I feel like doing this show for 10 years, that's enough," he added.

Ferguson also weighed in with an official statement. "CBS and I are not getting divorced, we are 'consciously uncoupling,' " he said in the network's announcement. "But we will still spend holidays together and share custody of the fake horse and robot skeleton, both of whom we love very much."

Yep, fake horse and robot skeleton. They're both hallmarks of Ferguson's wacky late-night hour, and possibly part of the reason CBS declined to promote him to the 11:35 p.m. "Late Show" when David Letterman announced his retirement earlier this month -- he's not quite mainstream enough. Although Ferguson, 51, has a developed a devoted cult following over the years, this isn't a very surprising move. Given that Stephen Colbert is taking over "The Late Show" once Letterman steps down in 2015, it's likely that CBS wants to start fresh with a brand-new late-night slate.

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Newspapers in the United Arab Emirates are reporting that the American drummer for the rock band Scorpions has been sentenced to one month in jail after being convicted of offensive behavior in Dubai, The Associated Press reports.

The government-backed National newspaper reported Tuesday that James Kottak was convicted of insulting Islam, raising his middle finger and being under the influence of alcohol while in transit at Dubai airport.

The Gulf News daily says he was arrested April 3 en route from Russia to Bahrain, where the German band was scheduled to perform at a Formula One race. Kottak was a no-show at the April 5 concert.

The newspapers say Kottak admitted to drinking but denied other charges.

The Scorpions' manager didn't respond to requests for comment. Kottak's local lawyer couldn't immediately be reached.

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Columbus Short is departing the hit ABC show "Scandal" as real-life troubles plague the actor during his ugly divorce, People reports.

"At this time I must confirm my exit from a show I've called home for three years, with what is the most talented ensemble on television today," Short, 31, says in a statement.

Thanking both the show's creator Shonda Rhimes and star Kerry Washington, he also paid tribute to his fellow "gladiators" on the series "who have supported me throughout my entire career."

"Everything must come to an end and unfortunately the time has come for Harrison Wright to exit the canvas," he says. "I wish nothing but the best for Shonda, Kerry and the rest of the cast, who have become like a second family to me in such a short amount of time. For this, I will forever be grateful."

This month, Short's wife, Tuere Tanee Short, filed for divorce and was granted a temporary restraining order after alleging he was drunk and threatened to kill her. She also seeks full legal and physical custody of their 2-year-old daughter.

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Prince Harry and his girlfriend Cressida Bonas have broken up, a source confirms to People.

After dating for nearly two years, Harry, 29, recently confided in friends that things were not going well with the 24-year-old beauty.

"He found her too needy and it just wasn't working out," says a source close to the prince.

The couple were introduced by Princess Eugenie, a close friend of Bonas, who recently completed a postgraduate program in dance studies at London's Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. But they had always tried to keep their relationship out of the spotlight.

Recently, though, the couple had been seen out and about, enjoying dinner dates and Bonas -- known as Cressy to her friends -- even attended her first official event last month, supporting Prince Harry as he gave a speech at the launch of WE Day, a charity event for Save the Children at Wembley Arena.

On Tuesday, Harry met with wounded service personnel hoping to take part in the Invictus Games, which he will launch this fall. Meanwhile, Bonas was spotted picking a healthy takeout from a juice bar.

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Jurors at the New York City trial of an alleged drug kingpin could be hearing his amateur rap rhymes as evidence against him, the AP reports.

Prosecutors have asked a judge to allow them to use the lyrics at the trial of Ronald "Ra Diggs" Herron. Federal jury selection began Tuesday in Brooklyn.

The government says gritty recordings by Herron bolster allegations he was a stone-cold killer. One is titled "Live by the Gun, Die by the Gun."

Defense lawyers have argued that their client's work is a constitutionally protected expression of free speech that has no place in the case.

They compare it to Johnny Cash singing in "Folsom Prison Blues" that he "shot a man in Reno just to watch him die."

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